Highlands Coffee - Harrison

AUS

Highlands Coffee

From brief to brand partner: a growing legacy with Highlands Coffee

ClientHighlands Coffee

Studio team Melbourne, AUS

Services Branding Interior Design

Our journey with Highlands Coffee started with a brief to develop the brand’s next-generation “5G” concept, a forward-thinking evolution of their store design and guest experience. But what began as a single project soon grew into something more lasting and collaborative.

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A dramatic pairing of material and light. The red brush ceiling and spherical pendants elevate the mood, making even everyday coffee moments feel cinematic.

A bold red canopy made from handcrafted ceiling elements brings energy and theatre to the lounge zone — a nod to Vietnam’s craft culture and Highlands’ evolving sense of hospitality drama.

Our journey with Highlands Coffee started with a brief to develop the brand’s next-generation “5G” concept, a forward-thinking evolution of their store design and guest experience. But what began as a single project soon grew into something more lasting and collaborative.

As we filled gaps in design capability, we also built trust. By 2023, Harrison’s APAC team had become fully embedded within the VTI Group’s senior leadership, acting as Design Directors across the region. This closer partnership allowed us to work hand-in-hand with Marketing, Development, and Executive teams, shaping not just stores, but strategy.

Natural timber structures and soft ambient lighting shape a welcoming entry — balancing contemporary calm with quiet references to traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship.

Our role evolved from delivering individual design solutions to driving long-term brand growth. With more time to test, learn, and refine, we’ve been able to push the brand forward aligning creative, commercial, and operational goals into one cohesive direction.

Alongside this, we’ve launched a mentorship program to upskill the in-house design team ensuring Highlands Coffee can carry the vision forward independently, with confidence and clarity. Because strong design shouldn’t just deliver results, it should leave a legacy.

When you’re close to a brand’s growth, you see more than the milestones, you see the mindset shift. That’s what makes it exciting.

Paul Wainwright Director at Harrison APAC

Key Features

Terracotta tiles with geometric inlays capture the nostalgia of Vietnamese sidewalks — reinterpreted with a graphic rhythm that’s both playful and grounded.

Every detail earns its place. A custom curved chair sits quietly by the window — part furniture, part framing device for a moment of pause.

Warm upholstery and a textured circular wall light create soft contrast and intimacy — a modern take on nostalgic Vietnamese interiors.

Soft textures and tactile finishes shape a relaxed, residential-inspired corner. Perfect for lingering — with friends, laptops, or just coffee.

A custom roasting station puts craft on full display — showcasing the brand’s deep connection to Vietnam’s coffee heritage while signalling quality, transparency, and storytelling.

More than a guideline — this architectural playbook sets the tone for a new generation of Highlands Coffee stores, combining brand evolution with design rigour.

At the heart of the Highlands 5G concept is a simple yet powerful idea: Contemporary Nostalgia. A design approach that honours memory while confidently stepping into the now.

More than a guideline — this architectural playbook sets the tone for a new generation of Highlands Coffee stores, combining brand evolution with design rigour.